Why Billy Ray Cyrus ALMOST Refused To Do ‘Old Town Road’
We all know how Billy Ray Cyrus' remix song "Old Town Road" with Lil Nas X made history. It was one of the major hits that became a worldwide trend, alongside Drake's "In My Feelings."
However, what we didn't know is Billy Ray almost refused to do the song. Here's why.
As part of "Time" magazine's 2019 TIME 100 Next, Billy Ray wrote a piece on the rapper, Lil Nas X, in which he himself admitted that he had nothing to contribute to the song to make it better. It also took him a lot of time convincing to do the song.
According to Billy Ray's story of what really happened, he was having coffee one time with Ron Perry from Columbia Records. Ron was the one who sent him the "Old Town Road" song and told him that Lil Nas X wants Billy Ray to sing the song. When Billy heard the song, he said it was "already" perfect and he couldn't see anymore to add for it to sound better and catchy. However, Columbia insisted and asked him to go to the studio with Lil Nas X and record a third verse.
Billy Ray further explained how the writing process went out smoothly and how straightforward everything was in the process. The 58-year old country singer also shared Lil Nas X unforgettable impact left on him.
"Old Town Road" was written by Billy Ray and Lil Nas themselves and with R&B songwriter Jozzy. And in just a few recordings and touches, the song was born in the studio. Billy Ray described the song writing experience and the song itself as a "magical" piece. He also told Nas that he has much potential to become a "light in this world" and told him he would "shine brighter than anyone else." Lil Nas proved that to him while they were recording the song, and "Old Town Road" indeed changed each other's world.
Billy Ray and Lil Nas received good news recently that they won the Musical Event of the Year CMA Award. Hyped and all excited, Lil Nas went on Twitter and wrote his thanks to his fans and supporters, saying an energetic "LET'S GOOOOOO!!!!!" while he quoted the announcement tweet from CMA.
"Old Town Road" also got a new setting record recently, spending a full 19-week spot at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year.
Also, in August this year during the MTV's Video Music Awards, the song won the Song of the Year, and Billy Ray was very happy about it since he was not expecting it could be a massive hit way back in the first place.
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